PRINCIPAL

Jeffrey Graubard

Jeff Graubard is a senior public relations and marketing strategist with more than 35 years experience servicing Fortune 500 companies. As founder of The Other Agency, he develops media-intensive marketing communications plans (both digital and traditional), counsels organizations’ principals and interfaces with key media at national outlets, such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Associated Press and network news desks.

Jeff spent the first portion of his career at top ten New York public relations agencies, before founding The Graubard Group in 1992, a full-service public relations agency. Among its clients were Wal-Mart, Nike, Nikon, Verizon, MassMutual, the four major sports leagues, Time Inc., and Honeywell.

Before founding The Other Agency, Jeff managed Unilever’s corporate communications program, where he was charged with developing and executing programs highlighting Unilever’s acclaimed sustainability program. Jeff also writes and lectures about both public relations and baseball. His work has appeared in the Village Voice and the Sunday New York Daily News, among others, and he has lectured at New York University and the International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition.

Born and raised in the New York area, Jeff Graubard lives in Bergen County, N.J., where he raised his college-age son. He and his family enjoy baseball, movies, travel, Springsteen and current events. He is a graduate of Boston University’s School of Public Communication.

CHIEF STORYTELLER

Howard Ruben

A communications specialist based in Los Angeles, Howard Ruben has created successful PR and Social Media campaigns for 300+ brands and individuals in sports, fashion, food, music, hospitality, publishing, and nonprofit. Among the clients he has represented: National Geographic, Goldwin Sports, Gold’s Gym, Teva, Skechers, ShedRain, Jams World, Ocean Pacific, MAGIC, World Shoe Association, singer Laura Bryna, and designer Karen Neuburger.

As a journalist, Howard's articles on sports, marketing, and lifestyle have appeared on Bleacher Report and in the Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles magazine, GQ, Adweek, and Advertising Age. As a featured columnist for Bleacher Report, his articles on the L.A. Lakers, UCLA, the Olympics and other sports generated close to 3 million reads.

While serving as sports editor for the Star-News Group in San Diego, Howard won a Sigma Delta Chi Award for sports featuring writing. He later became a business editor for Women’s Wear Daily (WWD), covering the multi-billion dollar fashion industry for 10+ years.

Howard is a graduate of the University of Missouri, where he majored in Journalism. An avid tennis player and admitted sports junkie, Howard counts among his proud accomplishments – a third place trophy (age 13) at the Ford-sponsored Punt, Pass & Kick competition in his hometown of Buffalo, New York. He has called Los Angeles home for over 25 years.

SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR

Erika Crespo

Erika Crespo is a social media and influencer strategist who specializes in conveying the heart and soul of a brand's story online. Having launched and managed social media strategies for companies, nonprofits, brands, and products, Erika combines exceptional knowledge, creativity, and real-world experience to help companies and nonprofits build and engage their audiences.

Erika’s ability to launch and manage programs and deeply track performance brings a level of clarity and control around which clients can make smart decisions and implement results-oriented, cost-effective programs.

A native of California, Erika is an avid runner and heavily involved with her alma mater, the University of Southern California. Fight On!

SENIOR CONSULTANT

Jon Stern

Jon Stern is a trusted senior communications advisor who has counseled CEO and executive leadership teams for some of the world’s largest companies, brands, and professional sports leagues on both the client and agency side.

Most recently Jon was executive vice president for global communications agency Burson Cohn & Wolfe’s Miami office providing internal and external strategic counsel for Abbott Labs, Atlas Renewable Energy, Bacardi, Copa Airlines, ESPN Deportes, FedEx and Nestle Waters. Before joining Burson Cohn & Wolfe, Jon spent 11 years with MillerCoors, the largest division of global brewer Molson Coors, in Chicago. He was first brought on to head the company’s marketing communications department leading strategy for 35 brands. Then, as director of media relations and investor relations, he served as chief media spokesperson working with the CEO and senior leadership team advancing key commercial, corporate, industry, government affairs and employee story narratives to drive business results. He also led the company’s thought leadership and executive media training program.

Earlier in his career, Jon served in a marketing communications role with the National Basketball Association, led marketing and communications for NYC2012, New York City’s Olympic bid, and held positions in the New York offices of public relations agencies Weber Shandwick and Dan Klores Communications.

Jon Stern is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

Corporate Communications STRATEGIST

Aygun Ismayilova

Aygun Ismayilova is a corporate communications specialist with more than 10 years’ experience in international markets. A former journalist, she speaks English, Dutch, French, Russian, and Turkish, and has been involved with the execution of communication strategies for governments, non-profits, and businesses in Europe and developing countries.Aygun is a graduate of The Hague University where she earned a master's degree in international communications management. Professional training in cross-cultural communications allows Aygun to manage external as well as employee communications. She also has planned successful VIP events, business forums, press conferences, and networking events in different world capitals. 

Aygun, who calls Belgium home, recently moved to New York to start a new chapter in her career. She is an active runner who loves art, jazz, and reading; and is passionate about building online and offline communities.